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Bill King (1927 — 2005)
Longtime play-by-play announcer Bill King passed away October 18, 2005, at San Leandro Memorial Hospital after suffering a pulmonary embolus. King was originally admitted to the hospital for hip surgery. |
As a longtime play-by-play announcer for both the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1962-83), the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1966-92), and since 1981, the Oakland A’s—King spent five decades thrilling fans with his vivid descriptions of some of the most historical moments in the annals of three of the Bay Area’s major sports teams. He is on a short list of announcers who balanced play-by-play duties with three major sports franchises simultaneously as King did during a three-year period in the early 1980’s.
His accounts of Raider games—from the infamous “Heidi” game against the New York Jets in 1968; a string of last second victories on George Blanda field goals during the 1970 season; the “Sea of Hands” game against Miami in the 1974 AFC Playoffs; Dave Casper’s “Ghost to the Post” touchdown reception that gave the Raiders a 1977 play-off win at Baltimore; the memorable “Holy Roller” play against the San Diego Chargers in 1978; and “Old Man” Willie Brown’s interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl X—are regularly replayed and will forever be a part of the game’s lore.
King was stationed on the island of Guam at the end of World War II when he began his broadcasting career with the Armed Forces Radio Network. He launched his career in the late 1940’s in Pekin, Ill., broadcasting minor league baseball, along with high school football and basketball games. He later added duties calling Bradley University basketball games along with Nebraska football and basketball contests.
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